I too have been skeptical of this publication. Others have told me that despite the name, it is quite good.

The title is more meant to be "The Monitor" but it is owned by the Christian Science church. That is why the domain is csmonitor.

Their FAQ page also says:

"Is the Monitor a religious publication?

No, it’s a real news organization owned by a church – The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., USA. Everything in the Monitor is international and US news and features, except for one religious article in the weekly magazine and Daily News Briefing – a version of which has appeared each day since 1908, at the request of the Monitor’s founder, Mary Baker Eddy. In an age of corporate conglomerates dominating the news media, the Monitor’s combination of church ownership, public-service mission, and commitment to covering the world (not to mention the fact that it was founded by a woman shortly after the turn of the 20th century, when US women didn’t yet have the vote!) gives the Monitor a uniquely independent voice in journalism."

In spite of the title - Yes. It's a very well written newspaper that I've been reading my whole life.

(My father used to make us read it to him on the way to school even...)

They are well known for being anti-sensationalism. The religion bit has no bearing on the paper except that an article on religion must be in every issue, but they don't attempt to advance/preach the christian scientist faith in any way.

Yes it is. It is one of the best US papers and is read internationally. It doesn't have an agenda, but is a little conservative. In other words, the traditional values of journalism are still held there - like breaking stories and original research and writing. I think importance of web-publishing there, and its success, is fascinating.

Yes. CSM is actually a very good newspaper.